Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and service of a true American patriot, Mr. Noah Daniels.

Born during the post-Great War peace, Mr. Daniels lived a quiet life until World War II began. Wanting to serve, Mr. Daniels desired to join the military, but at his mother's direction, he entered tech school.

For hands-on training, Mr. Daniels was sent to Ft. Knox where he later entered the civil service. This proved fortuitous, as Mr. Daniels was instrumental in preparing General Patton's tanks to secure a victory over Germany's feared Desert Fox, Rommel.

Following his time at Ft. Knox, Mr. Daniels joined the Navy and then the Coast Guard, serving throughout North America and the Pacific on several ships, including the USS Ingham.

Notably, during his time in the Coast Guard, Mr. Daniels designed the `chain stop' to help with servicing the marker buoys in inland waterways--a design later patented by the Coast Guard and used throughout the U.S. fleet. The ingenuity and work ethic necessary to create the chain stop led to Mr. Daniels' promotion to First Class Petty Officer.

After completing his military service in 1964, Mr. Daniels moved to Central Florida where he and his family live today. Mr. Daniels is the proud father of former Congresswoman Sandy Adams, a good friend to Katie and I, who previously served in the Florida House of Representatives and the United States Air Force.

I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Noah Daniels, a man of renowned honor, courage, and patriotism as he approaches his 100th birthday on June 30, 2023. May his next trip around the sun be his best one yet.

Happy birthday, my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a true southern gentleman and patriot of great distinction, Mr. Philip Innes Eschbach, Jr., affectionately known as ``The Colonel''.

During World War II, Mr. Eschbach was stationed in Dijon, France, where, despite the odds of survival, he piloted a B-26 Martin Marauder on 56 bomber flights against the Axis in Italy and France.

During the war he received the French Croix de Guerre. More recently, on May 4, 2013, he was further personally honored by the French government for his heroic deeds in the liberation of their country when they made him an honorary commandant. His daughter, Mary, coordinated his itinerary, and his son, Phil, accompanied him on his trip back to France for the festivities.

After the war, Mr. Eschbach earned his bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Florida. He became active in community affairs and began teaching school. Katie, I, and many others were fortunate enough to have him as an English teacher before he went on to teach in high school and college.

He never shared any of his war experiences with his students, and they were unknown to me, until he wrote his memoirs in 2004 in a book titled, THE KICKING MULES.

I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing this hero, dedicated teacher, friend, and role model to so many, congratulations for completing another mission--his upcoming 100th orbit around the Sun.

Happy Birthday to the Colonel.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Cheryl Moore, a true servant-leader who is retiring this month after forty years of service to the residents and communities across Central Florida and Florida's Space Coast.

For the last 13 years Cheryl has been a cherished member of my staff, serving as Director of Community Relations covering North Brevard and Orange County and assisting constituents all over the District resolve complex cases involving federal agencies like the IRS, OPM, Postal Service, veterans' benefits, and Medicare to name a few.

Cheryl began her public service career in 1984 as a member of the Orange County Code Enforcement Board, a position she held for eight years. Cheryl would go on to make significant contributions to the state legislature, serving as Chief Legislative Aide to State Representative Tom Feeney and later State Senator John Ostalkiewcz. Cheryl even worked as a staff member in the State Redistricting Office, helping oversee the operation to draw new State Legislature and Congressional Districts. In 2000, she returned to the Florida House as top aide to then-Florida House Speaker Feeney, and upon his successful election to Congress, served as his District Director from 2002 to 2008. Before joining the 8th Congressional District staff, Cheryl served in the same role for Congresswoman Sandy Adams.

Cheryl is known as a trailblazer for women and a legend in her industry, often setting the standard for professional and effective public service. Throughout her career Cheryl was recognized with the President's Award from the Orange County Sheriffs Office, the Seminole County Sheriffs Office Legislative Award and the Orange County Sheriffs Award for ``Exceptional Leadership'' for restoring the special risk assessment for law enforcement to 3 percent. However, what Cheryl is truly known for is her caring servant's heart and the difference she has made in the lives of so many.

I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Cheryl Moore on her long and distinguished service and wishing her all the best in this next chapter of her life.

Madam Speaker, I want to take a moment to recognize a historic achievement in our nation's Space Program. Yesterday marked the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 17's landing on the moon--the last time humans went to the moon. Now, 50 years later to the day, Artemis I's Orion capsule splashed down off the Baja California coast, signifying our return to the lunar surface, and beyond.

As a teenager I was deeply inspired by President Kennedy's famous Rice University speech declaring America's intent to go to the Moon. I wanted so much to be part it, and, like many in Brevard County. I found work on the Apollo program just a few years later. It was a truly great experience.

Space is not only important to our national security, but to advancing American ingenuity and technological prowess, and ultimately, to ensuring the survival of our species. This is an exciting time for space exploration and discovery, and I encourage young people looking to be part of something special, something important, to consider a career in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Louie, the first person who reached their hand out to me when I got here was not you. It was Ron Paul. You were the second one. I got to know you good through Ron Paul's lunches, his wonderful lunches at his Liberty Caucus. I learned, before I ever heard you speak, of what a true patriot you were.

I don't know that there has ever been a more consistent Member since I have been here on principles, policy, and ethics than you, Louie Gohmert. You have been a fearless voice for those that were voiceless, something which every Member of Congress should aspire to be. You have been an advocate for what is right about America and a fierce opponent of what is not right for America.

Congressman Gohmert, you have always been well informed on a galaxy of issues that come before this body, and as always, you have been more than well prepared to fight for the good and against the bad.

An honest, pragmatic, free thinker for sure, Congress could surely use more Louie Gohmerts, not fewer.

We are going to miss you, Louie. Godspeed. I don't know what we are going to do without you.

Madam Speaker, on Saturday, December 17, 2022, Brevard County families, businesses and local community organizations will gather to celebrate the Fourteenth Annual Family Christmas Extravaganza. This wonderful event, which will take place at Fred Poppe Regional Park in Palm Bay, FL, will provide an uplifting message of hope and future during this Christmas season.

The House Church, Elevation Church, Eastwind Pentecostal Church, Victory in Christ Jesus, Centerpointe Church, Grace Bible Church, Jornada al Cielo, Church on the Rock, River of Life Christian Center, Brevard Worship Center, and Hope Ministries of Florida, Wings of Grace Ministries, CITA Rescue Mission, and ANEW International have all united to bring the Annual Family Christmas Extravaganza to our City and County.

Working with several community and business partners such as the City of Palm Bay Parks & Recreation, Thrifty Specialty Produce, Chick-Fil-A, Fruits of my Labor, Gator Automotive, Florida Blue, Frog Bones-Family Shooting Center, Travel Camp, Al Dia Today Newspaper, Hometown News, and Premiere Oaks 10 Cinema, the mission is to provide a positive venue for residents and children to celebrate Christmas, serve others and give back to their community.

Over 60 local businesses and organizations have made donations of Toys, food, gift certificates, equipment, finances, and goodie bags, and will feature Musicians and Artist such as Unified Sound with Joel Lopez, Peabod, KD3, Boannski, Eddie Anthony as Eddie Frost and much more.

Senior Pastor Ken Delgado of The House at Palm Bay said: ``With today's news being filled with division, contention, and expressions of hatred, it is exciting to see the City of Palm Bay, along with the city's businesses and the citizens, create an event where love, joy and peace are expressed. The Family Christmas Extravaganza is the greatest expression that so many people yearn for and is what the angels proclaimed at the birth of Jesus, saying `Peace and good will towards all men'.''

The Mayor of the City of Palm Bay, Rob Medina, issued a proclamation in support for this year's celebration, recognizing the Extravaganza has become the largest Christmas party on the Space Coast and December 17, 2022, as Family Christmas Extravaganza Day.

The spirit of the holidays is all about giving and spending time with loved ones. This year's Extravaganza brings our community together to remind us of that. I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting all those who are doing their part to spread the Christmas spirit this holiday season and those who have worked so hard to make the Fourteenth Annual Family Christmas Extravaganza possible.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member from Oklahoma for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the Protecting Firefighters From Adverse Substances Act. It has been a pleasure to work across the aisle on proposals to address the dangers posed by PFAS not just to firefighters but also to our environment.

It has been a pleasure to cosponsor the House companion to this bill and support its passage.

This bill will direct the Department of Homeland Security to provide training designed to reduce and eliminate exposure to PFAS from firefighting foam and personal protective equipment, to prevent PFAS from firefighting foam from being released into the environment, and to give firefighters and other emergency responders information on alternatives that do not contain PFAS.

This bill is another step we are taking together in a bipartisan spirit to address the consequences that we have learned far too late.

The firefighters' motto is ``Be Ready,'' and this bill helps better prepare our firefighters.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement and brave service of K-9 Bear to the Cocoa Police Department and to our Congressional District. K-9 Bear, the 9-year-old German Shepherd, not only fulfilled his duty to protect his partner, K-9 Officer Dan Rhoades, but protected his community for more than eight years.

K-9 Bear started in 2014 working as a dual-certified patrol K-9 at the Cocoa Police Department. There he underwent comprehensive trainings in everything from tracking fleeing suspects to locating missing persons, as well as finding illegal drugs and other evidence in criminal cases. K-9 Bear also served alongside the elite Cocoa Police Department's SWAT team.

During his career, K-9 Bear worked to recover illegal drugs, taking them off the streets, keeping our families and neighborhoods safe. Many say fleeing suspects gave up the fight at just the sound of K-9 Bear's ferocious bawl. K-9 Bear and K-9 Officer Dan Rhoades' close relationship produced results, and K-9 Bear's exemplary skills and dedication proved to be a valuable asset to the department and the community.

America's Top Dog, on A&E Network, a show where the most elite police K-9 teams compete, even highlighted K-9 Bear and Officer Rhoades' special partnership. Team Bear, demonstrating their most excellent skills, won the competition and brought home a $10,000 prize to donate to the Cocoa High Athletics Department for an improvement project. Because of K-9 Bear's efforts, America's Top Dog made an additional $5,000 donation to the charity of their choice, the Space Coast K-9 Competition, presented by the Cocoa Police Department in partnership with Space Coast Police K-9 Foundation.

K-9 Bear was not just a tool to help his human police officer. K-9 Bear was, and will always be, a loyal friend. Today we celebrate K-9 Bear's tenure at the Cocoa Police Department and commend him for always doing his duty to protect our community. I urge my colleagues to join me as we wish K-9 Bear well in retirement.

Madam Speaker, my flight was delayed for more than five hours due to technical difficulties and then inclement weather on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, causing me to depart Florida after the vote series began.

Had I been present, I would have voted:

NO on Roll Call No. 386;

NO on Roll Call No. 387;

YES on Roll Call No. 388;

YES on Roll Call No. 389;

NO on Roll Call No. 390;

NO on Roll Call No. 391;

NO on Roll Call No. 392; and

YES on Roll Call No. 393.

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize a constituent from Florida's Space Coast who has dedicated his career to advancing the strategic security of our nation and strengthening America's technological capability, and who has been a well-known and passionate advocate of our mission in space--Mr. Joe Mayer.

In 1976, Joe graduated from William Paterson College in New Jersey, then attended Georgetown University, and earned a Master of Science of Foreign Service degree focusing on national security. He got his start working on Capitol Hill as an aide to U.S. Senator Jake Garn of Utah, advising on defense and national security issues and helping to support the B-1B strategic bomber as well as funding for the Strategic Defense Initiative. Joe then went on to serve on the staff of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence focusing on arms control.

In 1986, Joe joined Rockwell International taking the lead on Rockwell's NASA space-related business. He worked to modernize the Space Shuttle program and became a leading advocate for the International Space Station. Joe later worked for The Boeing Company supporting their human space exploration efforts. He became the Chair of Citizens for Space Exploration, a pro-NASA, pro-space advocacy organization, received a NASA Space Flight Awareness award from the Boeing leadership team, and was named an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

In 2007 Joe joined the Lockheed Martin Space team in Houston representing the company in the community and advocating on behalf of the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV)/Orion spacecraft. He worked with community partners and traveled across the country meeting with the public, school children, community leaders and elected officials explaining the value of human space exploration. The Houston Mayor and City Council honored Joe for his professional and community contributions with a Declaration designating February 26, 2013, as `Joe Mayer Day in the City of Houston'.

In 2013 Lockheed Martin dispatched Joe to Florida's Space Coast where he has served the space community in numerous civic and charitable positions and has been a leading voice for our nation's space program. Joe's local leadership roles have included Chairing the board of the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast, Chairing the Cocoa Beach Chamber as well as Chair of VISIT Florida and Space Coast Citizens for Space Exploration. He has served on the Boards of Brevard Cultural Alliance, Florida Defense Contractors Association, the Astronaut Memorial Foundation, and the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. He is a member of the Space Coast Civilian-Military Association and serves on my Congressional Space Advisory Committee.

After more than 40 years of service, Joe recently announced his plans to retire, and we thank him for his tireless service and commitment to our communities, and for his strong advocacy and support for our nation's space program. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Joe Mayer and wishing him and his family well in the years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Keith Moskowitz from Vero Beach, Florida, a constituent who has earned distinction for his dedication to ensuring safe communities and for his commitment to making a difference in the lives of others by investing in people and creating opportunity.

Keith started his first job when he was only eight years old and since then has worked hard and owned many businesses. Being called to serve others, Keith put his businesses on hold and joined the New York City Police Department. Over the course of his 15-years of service Keith received over 60 awards for his excellent police work, including meritorious and bravery medals. He earned two promotions and led an investigative squad focusing on domestic violence, burglary, and homicides. On September 11, 2001, Keith was on duty in downtown Manhattan when the Trade Center was attacked and worked tirelessly to assist people in getting to safety.

In June 2006 Keith retired from the NYPD and relocated to Florida where he once again joined the private sector building a string of successful small businesses in the automotive and home repair industries which he grew to include more than 20 employees. Keith's philanthropic nature has benefited his community as he has given much of his time and resources to local schools, local governments, and people in needed of assistance.

Recognized by the governor of Kentucky, Keith was awarded the distinguished Kentucky Colonel designation for his continued investments in people and the communities in which he has served. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Keith Moskowitz for his dedication to community service, courageous acts, and generous spirit.

Madam Speaker, on April 21, 2022, Inspector Christopher Welsh retired after 28 years of distinguished service from the Florida Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General. Christopher has distinguished himself as leader in his selfless dedication to the law enforcement profession, leaving each post and every person who has worked with him or under his leadership better off. He will be missed by all those who have had the privilege to serve with him.

Christopher began his career with the Florida Department of Correction as a Correctional Officer at Broward Correctional Institution in 1994. He quickly moved up the ranks and by 2007 he was promoted to Inspector at the Martin Correctional Institution handling cases involving employee misconduct and malfeasance within the Florida Department of Corrections. In 2015 he was promoted to Lead Inspector in the Region 5 area where he trained and mentored new inspectors. In 2021 he was again promoted to Inspector Supervisor in Region 5 area and retired in 2022.

Mr. Welsh's noteworthy career extends beyond his time at the Florida Department of Corrections. Before serving in the FDC, Mr. Welsh served as a police officer in the United States Air Force and is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. We are grateful for his military service. He is also a graduate of the Law Enforcement Academy and a Criminal Justice and Standards training Commission Certified Instructor. Mr. Welsh is a man of faith having served as the Youth and Family Minister at our Savior Lutheran Church in Plantation, FL, and is also an avid volunteer with a decades long commitment to giving back to his community. He coached the wrestling team at Sebastian High School and has coached baseball and football in local recreational leagues.

Mr. Welsh, a hardworking father dedicated to his faith, his family, and his community, embodies the American Dream and all that makes this nation so great. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Christopher Welsh and his exceptional career on the occasion of his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.